Delhi News: Jantar Mantar Row Deepens as CJP Questions Police Action, Accused Claims Self-Defence

The Jantar Mantar assault controversy has intensified, with CJP leaders and supporters questioning Delhi Police over the sections applied in the case involving Sanjay Kumar’s head injury. According to the details in the report, the FIR was registered under BNS Sections 115(2), 126 and 3(5), after which the accused, identified as Swatantra Bhardwaj, was issued a notice andreleased under the applicable bailable provisions. CJP leaders Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Rana have demanded the accused’s arrest and stronger sections, arguing that statements attributed to him in a podcast should be examined aspart of the investigation. The accused has now presented a different version, claiming that the incident was an act of self-defence. He alleged that he was surrounded by several people and feared mob violence, and said that while trying to defend himself, the bangle on his hand accidentally struck Sanjay Kumar, causing the head injury. He has also maintained that the medical findings did not indicate a serious injury and that he is cooperating with the police investigation. The developments have placed Delhi Police under renewed scrutiny, with protesters questioning whether the initial FIR adequately reflectedthe seriousness of the incident. The report also recalls an earlier protest-related episode in which Rahul Gandhi had demanded registration of an FIR at Parliament Street Police Station. With competing accounts now emergingover the July 23 Jantar Mantar clash, the key questions remain whether the existing charges will be reviewed, whether the accused will be arrested and what further findings emerge from the ongoing police investigation.